District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray announced with a smile Tuesday, “Everything is open for business today.”
Gray’s comment is in reference to the D.C. council vote that allots the local government use of its contingency fund to keep 32,000 city workers employed during the partial government shutdown.
Although Congress has the final say in local government funding and operations, Gray’s constituents back his decision to keep D.C.’s local government operating despite the Congressional standstill.
Gray has no problem openly objecting to decisions made in Congress. He recently submitted a proposal deeming all D.C. city services necessary and beneficial, and noted that they would continue to operate with or without funding from the federal government.
The contingency fund totals approximately $144 million, along with another $110.1 million in emergency cash that may be used if necessary.
Many city workers, such as those employed at the Lincoln Memorial, have already been affected. Nevertheless, maintaining parts of the local government through local funds has been backed by council members. One hot topic was the city’s garbage collection.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said, “I think it’s important that we did that because the government needs to keep functioning. Just because the House can’t agree with the Senate is not a reason for citizens’ trash to not be picked up.”
